Bolthole Index

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in McCandless Township, Pennsylvania

McCandless Township is a township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. McCandless Township adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits McCandless Township’s rules apply, not the county’s. 18 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on October 31, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Allegheny County page.

Answers from the rulebook for McCandless Township

McCandless Township’s own rules

  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside McCandless township limits (Town of McCandless, Allegheny County): the township administers its own zoning code, Part 13.

    • The township's permit guide directs applicants to the town zoning code, Part 13, and states that other zoning requirements may apply depending on district and use.
    • The FAQ states that a variance is granted from the town zoning code by the town's zoning hearing board.
    “please review all applicable sections of the town zoning code, part 13, prior to submission.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning district map for land inside McCandless township

    • The official zoning map is a PDF linked from the FAQ; the map itself was not opened.
    • The permit guide's district sheets cover R-VL, R-L and R-M.
    “you can view the official zoning map (pdf). if you have any questions, please call the zoning office at 412-364-0616, ext. 129.”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Low density neighborhood (R-L) district, inside McCandless township

    • Lot area is 12,000 sq ft where public sewer and water are present and 20,000 sq ft without them.
    • Dimensions from the guide's R-L district sheet; verify against Part 13.

    lot area without public sewer/water: >= 20000 sq ft (without public sewer/water) · lot area with public sewer/water: >= 12000 sq ft (with public sewer/water) · lot width: >= 80 ft

    “4. lot width 80 ft. min. 5. lot area 20,000 sq ft w/o public sewer/water 12,000 sq ft w/ public sewer/water”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Moderate density neighborhood (R-M) district, inside McCandless township

    • Side setback is 0 ft for attached buildings.
    • Porches may extend up to 9 ft into the front setback and stoops up to 6 ft, for principal buildings.

    principal front setback: >= 25 ft · principal secondary street setback: >= 25 ft · principal side setback: >= 10 ft (0 ft permitted for attached buildings) · principal rear setback: >= 40 ft · accessory front setback: >= 40 ft · accessory secondary street setback: >= 20 ft · accessory side setback: >= 10 ft · accessory rear setback: >= 10 ft

    “1. front setback 25 ft. min. 2. secondary street setback 25 ft. min. 3. side setback 10 ft. min., except 0 ft. permitted for attached buildings 4. rear setback 40 ft. min.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Very low density neighborhood (R-VL) district, inside McCandless township

    • Gravel counts as impervious surface.
    • A pool with a cover counts as impervious surface, per the guide.

    impervious coverage: <= 30 percent

    “3. impervious coverage 30% max. 4. lot width 100 ft. min.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Low density neighborhood (R-L) district, inside McCandless township

    • Accessory building height is 15 ft maximum within the principal building setbacks, otherwise 24 ft maximum.

    principal building height: <= 45 ft · accessory building height: <= 15 ft (within principal building setbacks; otherwise 24 ft maximum)

    “1. principal building height 45 ft. max. 2. accessory building height a. 15 ft. max. w/n principal building setbacks (c) b. otherwise, 24 ft. max.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land inside McCandless township

    • Subdivision applications go to the town planning commission for review, per the FAQ.
    • The FAQ text is truncated on the page; approval steps beyond planning commission review were not verified.
    “all subdivision applications must be submitted for review by the town planning commission and approved by the town council.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Construction in the floodplain inside McCandless township

    • Some construction may be severely limited or prohibited in the floodplain; other work may be permitted with conditions such as raising usable space above base flood elevation.
    • Review is by the township engineer, and a review escrow is required before permit review begins.
    “floodplain construction requires review by the town engineer; an escrow must be established prior to beginning permit review to cover 3rd party consultant fees.”
  • Permit feesPublished

    Building and zoning permit fees inside McCandless township

    • The fee schedule is a separate PDF linked from the FAQ; its amounts were not opened.
    • Variance fees are $200 for R-1 and R-2 districts and $250 for other districts, per the FAQ.
    “a schedule of fees can be found by visiting building and code enforcement, fire marshal, planning and zoning, or public works departments.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building and zoning permit submission inside McCandless township

    • The guide lists required documents, survey, stormwater, floodplain, and construction-drawing requirements.
    • The guide says it is not exhaustive; other code requirements may apply.
    “this information is not exhaustive and other building or zoning code requirements may apply to your project”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask McCandless Township or Allegheny County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption inside McCandless township
  • Building code adopted — Building code adopted for construction inside McCandless township
  • Inspections — Building inspections for construction inside McCandless township
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes inside McCandless township
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside McCandless township
13 more unanswered
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that McCandless Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Allegheny County’s page lists the county offices to call.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in McCandless Township means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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